Life is running away with me just now and I am a bit behind on lots of things. Behind on blogging and answering emails. Behind on ironing - but I can live with that. This week I'll be playing catch-up I think.
Anyway first the good. It's a great feeling when your son asks " Mum - are you expecting a bloggy parcel because the postman is coming down our path with a box ?" And even nicer when that parcel is a complete surprise from a lovely lady called Karol-Ann. It was a slightly belated birthday present and is absolutely the best bag I own.
Here is son very kindly modelling it for me. ( No of course your face isn't in the photo Patrick - just keep watching The Simpsons - lol - bad mum ).
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I cannot tell you how lovely and gorgeous this is in real life - so well sewn and I'm very impressed with the magnetic fastenings. Thanks KA - you are a star ! There were also some sweet little candles in the box and some fantastic threads which are very beautiful and unusual.
Now onto the bad... I mentioned last post that I am working on something NOT fun. It is this.
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It is not mine and I don't even know the lady who owns it but here's the story. Two of my friends from my small quilting group ( who happen to be sisters ) first discovered quilting 15 years ago when they did a sampler quilt for beginners along with another lady they know. My two pals duly finished their quilts and made others and joined our quilting group etc,etc. The third lady however got so far and abandoned her quilting career in order to take up other hobbies. So this poor quilt has been sat in a bag for almost 15 years waiting for some unfortunate soul to take pity on it and finish it. Yes - that some-one is me. I was persuaded to take it home and finish it off. Now the lady whose quilt it is had started hand-quilting it and although my friends said that finishing it off by machine would be fine I just thought it would look so much better finished off the way it was started. So hand-quilting it is.
I have umpteen projects myself that I would love to hand-quilt but instead I'm finding myself working on this. A bit musty-smelling ( well wouldn't you be if you sat in a bag for all that time ? ) and absolutely not my colours. I'm doing my best quilting on it but my heart isn't in it - in fact I can't wait to get shot of it. I'm trying to do at least an hour a day on it but there is still a way to go. Lesson to self - Just Say NO !! One day I will learn. Meant to say my friends have assured me she will pay me for my time but not sure how much. She is quite an elderly lady and would love to see it finished. You know the saying - There's one born every minute - lol !
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Quick last photo - there were no cats in sight when I got this opened up to take a photo - quilt magnets !!
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I have been doing a bit of fun stuff too but have no photos just yet. I got shut of some quilty stuff on Ebay last week too so that was good - made a little room for more :-)
See you soon.
Quick update - Patrick came in and rumbled me - he saw his photo and said I was a terrible liar - lol ! He doesn't mind really...
23 comments:
I love reading your blog! I don't even know you but I imagine that you are a person with a great sense of humor and that you write just as you would speak. Gorgeous quilts as well.
That is a lovely bag!
You are so wonderful to finish quilting that quilt. I know how you feel though about working on something when it is something you don't really like. Saying NO is sometimes hard....but the older I get....the easier it becomes! :-)
You are either a saint or insane. I would never hand quilt that quilt! You deserve a medal!
I think it's very pretty and so kind of you to finish it up. I clicked on the photos to see the quilting up close and it is wonderful... I think you are doing a great job and will be very happy with the outcome! I even have some of those old fabrics in projects I made many years ago!
Beautiful bag for a beautiful lady!!!
How nice of you to finish this quilt! Your getting points in heaven for your kindness!
I have SO been there and done that, down, mine reeked of mothballs. I recognise the fabric in that quilt, it took me years to finally get rd of the last bit from my stash. You are entirely toooo good, I would've have machine quilted it. My hand quilting is reserved for my own quilts.
Don't you feel a little bit guilty being caught out by Patrick? You're supposed to be setting a good example for the young'uns!!
I enjoyed the picture of the bag (hee-hee) he is a charmer! The quilt is beautiful that you are hand quilting, I hope that the task does not become to unbearable. Yes, pull a quilt out and lay it down, walla there the cat is on top! Gotta love them.
Well at least you are building up some quilty karma - so hopefully it will be revisited on you in delightful ways :). Not my colors either, but it's a pretty quilt for someone.
Oh I think that would be so hard to do. I can see why the heart is not in it, kinda blah isn't it. But your quilting has put a lovely finished touch on it. Very nice of you to finish it
You have a lovely model there for your bag! Aren't kiddos funny about getting their picture taken sometimes. We are all different, those colors are my favorite! I sure understand it must be hard to work on something that is just not your cup o tea...a stinky something!
You're such a good soul! I love the new bag and the model, too. I'm cheering for you. Quilt magnets - love it. That made me giggle. :) Great one.
*karendianne.
I have so done what you are doing now with the same feelings. But, it does feel good to get them all done and handed over. My hand quilted ball and chain is still waiting for me to finish! Good Luck!
The good: love your bad. The son modeled it so nicely.
The bad: bless your heart. You are truly a good soul. You will get finished with that quilt and the lady will be very happy and you will feel absolutely wonderful. Take care.
Just remember - what goes around, comes around! Your good deed in accepting this quilt and finishing it for someone will store up sunshine for you in the future! However, next time say, 'Really sorry, but no!'
Hi Patrick, nice to see you again :-)
Glad you like your bag Andrea - sorry it was late. I seem to be running late so much these days!
Very kind of you to do that quilt- I hope it will be worth it on some level. And get it done quick so that we can see more of your beautiful quilts!!!!
Look the cats don't mind the musty smell, and look how nice the quilt looks with a cat or two on it.
That is such a great picture of Patrick. You can tell he totally believes that you are just taking a picture of the bag. It is a lovely bag - lucky you!
I think you are a bit of a nut to be working like that so hard on an old musty quilt -LOL! I hope you do get paid a bit for it - and I am sure the lady will be thrilled in the end to have her one and only quilt finished - good for you to finish for her :)))
How is the rescue kitty doing? Is he/she one of the ones on the quilt?
Gold stars in your heavenly crown for your labor of love!
I love the bag, and Patrick is beautiful. The quilt isn't ugly at all. It's actually very nice and will make some one very happy when you have finished it. Now that it's been "Cat Inspected", it will be a bit more special, keep up the good work, you will be rewarded.
Cheers
Jenny
Your Patrick is a total darling. So are the cats!
Wonderful gifts. lucky you!XX
What a fun bag! You can never have enough of them...
I know what you mean about learning to say no. As my mom would say you are getting points in heaven...
What a lovely bag! I love bright colors with black. So striking!
Bless you for finishing the quilt and for having the patience to see the hand quilting process through to the end. I do like the blocks, but the colors...well....
Also wanted to let you know I recieved the pincushion and fabric yesterday. Thank you soooo much. They are wonderful :cD
Andrea.....I have just received your fab little quilt in the post!! Having been an admirer of your work for a while now I feel incredibly lucky to have this little gem!! Thank you sooooo much.....!
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